Can't hear myself at rehearsal but can hear myself on rehearsal recording with 1 mic?

Nic. · #1 10-10-2010, 10:49 PM

Okay I'm not sure if this is the right place since this is live sound but it's the closest I can find I guess.

Whenever I practice with my band, I adjust my volume until I can hear myself, but when I go back and listen to the recordings from just putting my H4n somewhere in the room (rather large room, maybe 8m x 8m?) the bass on that one is much too loud.

I don't think it's an issue with my equipment having a bass boost since my bandmates tell me I'm too loud too and wherever I put the recorder in the room I experience this problem.

When I turn down to what they consider an "acceptable volume" for the bass, I can barely hear myself when rehearsing, but when I go home and listen to what my H4n has picked up the bass volume and general balance is just perfect.

What the hell is going on here?! I'm honestly completely puzzled. It's something that has been bugging me for quite a while. Has anyone had the same experience?

Dr. Love · #2 10-10-2010, 11:08 PM

It's probably your physical relationship to the speaker cab. Are you standing directly in front of the speakers? If so, most of the sound is probably going past you below your ears. If you can, raise or angle the speakers so they are pointed up to your ears. If that isn't possible, stand farther away and you should be able to hear more of the sound

Both your bandmates and the recordings confirm the lower "acceptable level" is the correct balance, so position yourself/your equipment so you can hear yourself at that level too.

Nic. · #3 10-10-2010, 11:24 PM

Even moving around the room doesn't seem to help. I know this sounds strange but even squatting directly in front of the cab doesn't help much and I was using a GB Shuttle 6.0 with 2x12 Uber cab yesterday. I have to strain to hear it. I would suspect that it's just not being able to hear bass well, but I can hear myself well on recordings...

**woolysock** · #4 10-10-2010, 11:43 PM

You are experiencing a rather common psycho-acoustic phenomenon, something I learned about playing in the clarinet section in stage band when I was in short pants: If, when playing in a band, you can hear yourself clearly you are actually too loud in the mix. If you can just barely hear yourself you are probably perfect in the mix. The trick is to get used to just hearing a hint of yourself and being OK with that. I know, it's a bugger not being able to hear that glorious thick rich tone that pours from your expensive rig... but that's just the way it is. Until your band mates turn down ;-)

JimmyM · #5 10-11-2010, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolysock

You are experiencing a rather common psycho-acoustic phenomenon, something I learned about playing in the clarinet section in stage band when I was in short pants: If, when playing in a band, you can hear yourself clearly you are actually too loud in the mix. If you can just barely hear yourself you are probably perfect in the mix. The trick is to get used to just hearing a hint of yourself and being OK with that. I know, it's a bugger not being able to hear that glorious thick rich tone that pours from your expensive rig... but that's just the way it is. Until your band mates turn down ;-)

100% agreed.

aledeville · #6 10-11-2010, 12:27 AM

Maybe it helps to play with the hight of the cab. During rehearsal I have mine (410) on a table. The moment I changed to this I could turn my amp down by a significant amount and I heard myself clearer than ever before.

Nic. · #7 10-11-2010, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolysock

You are experiencing a rather common psycho-acoustic phenomenon, something I learned about playing in the clarinet section in stage band when I was in short pants: If, when playing in a band, you can hear yourself clearly you are actually too loud in the mix. If you can just barely hear yourself you are probably perfect in the mix. The trick is to get used to just hearing a hint of yourself and being OK with that. I know, it's a bugger not being able to hear that glorious thick rich tone that pours from your expensive rig... but that's just the way it is. Until your band mates turn down ;-)

Ah that was what I was thinking... glad to know it's not my imagination. I'll be doing that then, thanks!